Jane shines bright as an Industry Professor

With more than 30 years of hands-on experience in jewellery, Jane has built a remarkable career that spans international leadership, entrepreneurship, and vocational training.

Her journey has taken her from crafting bespoke pieces for luxury United Kingdom retailers to managing elite workshops like Catherine Best Jewellery and running her successful businesses.

Jane has spent 18 years inspiring the next generation of jewellers at TAFE Queensland.

Now leading our jewellery program as Educational Team Leader, she has taught hundreds of students from our South Bank campus at the fully equipped, industry-standard jewellery workshop.

Her commitment to quality teaching and student success is reflected in the many graduates who have made their mark in the industry.

Jane met all three key criteria for the Industry Professor title: extensive industry experience, recognition from her peers, and a commitment to education through open knowledge-sharing.

Her award reflects her business expertise, active leadership and judging roles in major competitions like the National WorldSkills Competition and the JAA Australasian Jewellery Awards, and her many contributions to education, including published articles, thought leadership and her long-standing teaching role.

She continues to mentor multiple award-winning apprentices and remains a passionate advocate for advancing skills and standards across the sector.

Her deep industry insight and dedication to accessible, high-quality training play a vital role in shaping the future of Australia’s jewellery workforce.

Jane’s appointment as an Industry Professor by the Industry Professor Association is a testament to her expertise and the excellence of TAFE Queensland’s teaching team.

For anyone ready to start their journey in the jewellery industry, Jane’s story is just one example of the exceptional educators who support students along the way.

TAFE Queensland’s Certificate III in Jewellery Manufacture (MEM30619) is an apprenticeship qualification, where you’ll learn everything from stone setting and metal casting to technical drawing and jewellery repair - all in a hands-on, real-world learning environment.

For something less formal, enrol in our one-week Introduction to Jewellery course and have fun learning trade-based skills and techniques to produce items of silver jewellery to take home.

With demand for gold and silver jewellery on the rise, there’s never been a better time to study with a team who live and breathe the craft.

Join the ranks of skilled professionals who started their careers under the guidance of industry leaders like Jane Foster.